MR. J. L. TOOLE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 3, 17 October 1890, Page 29

MR. J. L. TOOL E.

OWING to unavoidable circumstances we were unable last week to give out readers any report worth mentioning of Mr. J . L. Toole's short season in Dunedin. As, however, we shall still in our present issue be able to overtake the eminent comedian and his admiiable company in the more northern towns to be visited by them, it is not too late to fulfil a pleasing duty. Mr. Toole, then, in a word, is quite up to everything that has been said of him, and that is, in affect, the highest judgment that can be passed on him. We, nevertheless, do not ptetend to recollect half that has been said, because to do so would need a phenomenal memory, Mr. Toole's name having been for many years familiar as " household words " in the utterances of theatrical critics, and always spoken with approbation. It would, indeed, be hard to imagine that the particular branch of his art in which Mr. Toole excels could be brought to a higher state of perfection than that displayed in his acting. Not in the most trivial detail does he ever fall below the highest level attainable, mainttirjing his position without the least effort that it is possible to detect. In writing of a whole series of plays it is necessarily unadvii»ble to refer especially to any one of them. In fact, it is a matter of choice to the play-gcer as to which of them he will see. He will find Mr. Toole in all alike, delineating with exquisite humour the less harmful failings of human nature and bringing ont its abeurd and ridiculous points in a manner to be fully understood by those alone capable of appreciating the keenest and most subtle satire, but which all must thoroughly enjoy. We all know the old hackneyed quotation about the great art ot concealing art. To describe Mr. Toolo's powers, nevertheless, it is necessary to quote it once again. His art, as we have said, is perfect, and yet there does not seem to be a scrap of art about it — exuberant Dature only seems to be called into play. Comparisons are odious, to use another hackneyed quotation, but perhaps it may be permitted without incurring odium to compare a man with himself. Whether, therefore, to prefer Toole the actor or Toole the scientific lecturer it appears impossible to decide. Still to hear Mr. Toole describe the constituents that go to the formation of the '• Epsom salts of commerce," or the distinction that lies between the primary and secondary planets — or define the nature of the dungeon in which the heroine of the peep-show is confined is BomethiDg that, must be left to personal experience. It is simply indescribable. We have already alluded to the company who travel with Mr. Toole and who play with him in London. The not uncommon fate of eminent actors is thus escaped by Mr. Toole, and, instead of a s ar half-obscured by his surrounding, colonial audiences have one adequately supported. Mr. Billington, for example, is an admirable artist, who might without presumption make a tour as " star "oh his own account. Miss Eliza Johnstone also indisputably holds a high rank in her profession. There is not, in fact, attached to the company an indifferent actor or actress. All are at least ©^considerable merit, an advantage which will easily be perceived. The residents, therefore, in those towns to be visited by Mr. J. L. Toole may form high expectations without any risk of disappointment. They will find the famous comedian fulfilling all that has been said of him.